The Eagles, who have won the past two Wimmera Netball Association A Grade flags, were blown away in the second half by a fired up Rats outfit.

Ararat coach Olivia West said it was great to be back in the winners circle after a disappointing fortnight.

"It was good to return to form after not playing our best netball in the past couple of weeks," she said.

"It was a really close game up until half time, but we were certainly the better team in the second half."

West said Megan Shea was outstanding on the day and was a big reason behind the Rats' return to form.

Eagles coach Sarah Koschitzke was humble in defeat, but she said she was disappointed not to have a chance for a third straight premiership.

"It was really disappointing to go out the way we did," she said.

"What we were most disappointed in was how much we lost by and that we weren't competitive after half time.

"They just took up all our space in the second half and really shut us down at the attacking end."

Koschitzke said she was impressed with Ararat's game and rated them a big chance to go all the way.

"If they play like they did on the weekend they will be very hard to stop," she said.

"If I had to come up against them in the next couple of weeks I would be very scared they were great."

Ararat and Stawell will square off in a preliminary final on Sunday at Murtoa Recreation Reserve, and the winner will face Horsham in the grand final.